Epidemiology of viral diseases in raspberry plantation: identification of nepoviruses in the weed association

Snezhana Milusheva, Zarya Rankova, Kuman Koumanov, Georgi Kornov

Abstract: Subjects of the survey were the weeds forming the association in an experimental raspberry (“Lyulin” cultivar) plantation. A total number of 260 samples collected from 28 herbaceous species, belonging to 18 botanical families were analysed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for identification of the following viruses: from genus Nepovirus – Raspberry ring spot virus, Arabis mosaic virus and Cherry leaf roll virus, and from genus Idaeovirus – Raspberry bushy dwarf virus. The nematode – borne viruses RpRSV, ArMV and CLRV were detected in single or mixed infection in 23 of 28 weed species included in the survey. RpRSV was identified in 19 of the studied species, 13 weed species were infected by CLRV and samples from nine species reacted positive with antiserums against AtMV. Triple mixed infection by the nematode–borne viruses was detected in bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and speedwell (Veronica hederifolia L.). RBDV was not found in the tested samples. Infectivity and virulence of the identified viruses were confirmed through biological tests onto the following herbaceous indicators Celosia argentea, Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. ficifolium, C. foedidum, C. quinoa and Nicandra physaloides.

Keywords: nematode borne viruses; raspberry; spread; weeds

Date published: 2017-07-12